Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday; a rifle. Two more bullets wliined past his head. It would be a desperate plight for him if Buckly should attempt to shoot at Demon. "Old hoss. we gotta make those hills," he whispered, and the gallant animal sirove his utmost. Time after time the outlaw avoided death by swerving his horse so that Buckly wasted his ammunition on a diflficult target. A quarter of a mils from the hills and Demon, usually so sure footed, stumbled over a half-buriefl joot and went lame. Used to all emergencies. Jack thought furiously. Two bullets whining danger- ously close gave him his idea. He sagged across the saddle as if badly wounded, whilst Demon limped towards the hills on three legs. Bill Buckly rode alongside. He had replaced the rifle for a revolver, and his tanned face was alight with evil satis- faction—at last he had settled the Apache Kid. He decided to istop Demon, drag the Kid out of the saddle, bind him and then wait for the posse. But as Buckly stretched forward I'.i.' gun-hand to catch at the bridle, the life- less body suddenly woke to life, and his gun-hand was gripped by steel-like fingers. The gun dropped to the dust and, snarling like a wild cat, Buckly freed his other hand and flung both arms round his enemy. Demon heard an order that he undc'r- stood, and at once turned sharply so that his master's feet shot out of the saddle. Buckly half out of his own saddle had the full weight of the Apache Kid on his neck, lost his balance, and next moment both men were rolling in the du.st. "This is where we settle accounts,'' the Kid managed to splutter as he drove a fist to Buckly's ribs. Desperation and fear lent the dou!)le- crosser added strength, for he managed to free his arm and drive his fist into tlie Kid's face. Next moment they were on their feet, facing each other like two tierce gladiators. The Kid could have drawn his gun, but he had decided to beat Buckly in a fair fight—give the coyote the hiding of his life. They swapped punches, but the Kid's hurt most, and when an upper- cut opened Buckly's right eye the latter decided to beat it for the hills. He had a gun hidden inside his .shirt—a trick that had served him well in many a shooting—and if he could get a few yards from the Kid he might have a chance to reach for it, but the Kiel must never guess his intention or else another gun would speak first. The Apache Kid was the quickest man on the draw in the South-west. It was exhausting work running up the loose-stoned slope, and both men htuinblod. Several times Buckly felt for the hidden gun. but he seemed to see the Kid drawing his own gun. The Apache Kid gained on Buckly, and at the crest of the first slope, where there was a small plateau, the two men came to grips again. Buckly was a dissolute rascal and he was all in. A straight left sent him crashing to the ground. Fear made the crook try io get out the gun, and just in time did the Kid jump forward and grip the weapon. The posse on the opposite hill heard I he firing of the gun, and with a yell took up the new trail. The Kid yanked the exhausted Buckly to his feet. "You dirty hound," he spat out, and slammed a right and left to the coarse mouth. Buckly staggered back, swayed dangcr- ou.sly on the edge of the slope and then BOY'S CINEMA toppled backwards with a scream of despair. Over n.ud over rolled the body, and the Kid shuddered when ho saw the great boulder that Buckly must crash into with sickening force. When the Kid readied the boulder one glance showed him that Buckly w.ts out of sight. A desperate idea flashed to his keen mind. Here was a chance of the Apache Kid dying for ever. The posse were not yet in sight, and the big boulder screened them from the opposite slope. The Kid was wcari'ig a coloured shirt and Buckly's was bhio. Swiftly the exchange was made, and then the Apache Kid partly covered the blood-stained mouth with the spotted bandana. The task was just complete when a glance round the boulder showed tiie posse dashing down the woods. They saw the two horses in the valley and knew their quarry must be near. What a surprise they got when th.-y saw Jack Norton appear, dragging a figure after him. The boulder was almost in the valley, just as well, as the Apache Kid was almost all-in. "Hallo, Norton," cried the sheriff. "What's happeiu-d ? By gar, that's the Apache Kid? He's dead!" "Yeah, I was out early," Jack ga.sped out. "Too hot to sleep, so I went riding. Heard shouts and shooting, and saw a lone rider with the lower part of his face masked." He pointed to the bandana. "I give chase, for I gues'od it was the Apache Kid, and we came to grips on that small plateau np yondei'. I could have shot him in the back, but I only shoot snakes that way. He dreu- a gun. and I just got to him in time. I landed two hard punches and the Apache Kid lost his balance and toppled over the edge before I could shout a warning. See that boulder, well that's the boulder his head hit." "Well, that sure beats me." The sherifT peered at the crumpled figure and battered, crushed face. "I kinda ex- pected the Apache Kid to look more refined. He looked sorta younger when I seed him a while back, but maybe the bad light was deceptive." Ted Conway stepped forward an<l his large face was one great grin. He held out his hand. THREE GRAND COMPLETE FILM NOVELS. " THE SINGLE SIN." She shed her past and went straight —but evil hands sought to drag her back into the mire. "Gee, Jack. I'm mighty glad you got the Apache Kid," he cried. "I mind seeing this guy prowling round the ranch a few days ago." He winked. "How about riding over to the Carters, Jack ? I want to thank you and so w iil Jane." The two men gripped hands. A week had passed, and Demon and his master were fit again. Jane and Betty Carter, old man Carter and Tod Conway, were bidding farewell to a true friend. The Apache Kid kissed the two girls heartily, clapped old man Carter on th.e back and had a final handshake with Ted. "Frank Conway has fixed you for that new ranch, and soon you'll be getting married," cried the outlaw. "And I'm wagering you make a big success of both. If it wasn't for the cursed wanderlust that gets me about every two months I'd be staying around." As Sheriff Ward had cabled that he might come himself to present the re- ward there was every reason why the Apache Kid should hit the trail. 1 lie two girls now knew the true identity of Jack, but that made them like him, if anything, more than ever. "When th<' sheriff has gone you will come back," said Jane. "There is a dead pine near the summit of Injun' Hill, and until Ted fells that tree you'd best keep away." "I'll look out for that good omen.'' The Apacho Kid swept off his wide < sombrero. " You've been real good pals, and I'm sure coming back—some day." There was a luiskiness in his throat as he smiled at^ho girls. "You'll" wait for me, Betty." "What about the reward, .lack?" de- manded Ted. "Thai's the wedding present of the Apache Kid," cried the outlaw, and next moment was galloping away from the Hacienda. They watched till he wa.s out of signt, but they were very doubtful if tiio Apache Kid would ever come back to the Bar X Ranch again. (By permission of Butchers Film Ser- vice, Ltd., featuring Jack Perrin.) " REDUCING." She sent {or her poor but portly sister to come and assist in her famous beaut; parlours. Marie duly arrives, (amily and all, and from that moment the fun waxes fast and furious. Starring Marie Dressier and Polly Moran. " MORE THAN A KISS." He was bet a huge sum be could not kiss, within forty-eight hours, the first woman who came on to the veranda of his lawyer's house. A delightful comedy drama, starring Edmund Lowe and Jeanette MacDonald. Don't miss these fine stories in this week's issue of our companion paper, KAY JOHNSON in "THE SINGLE SIN. k i SCREEN STORIES." ON SALE WEDNESDAY. PRICE 2d. July lltli, 1931.